Iron Horse Trail

The Iron Horse Trail was the old rail owned by Southern Pacific. This line of track was constructed in 1891 and abandoned in 1977. Managed by the largest parks district in the country, East Bay Regional Parks District, the Iron Horse meanders through uninterrupted miles of multi-use trail that in most areas, is suitable for sports favoring good quality pavement, such as roller blading, skateboarding and Trikking.

The completed Iron Horse Regional Trail will span the distance from Livermore in Alameda County to Suisun Bay in Contra Costa County, a distance of 33 miles, connecting two counties and 12 cities. The Trail in most sections is 20′ wide. A 2010 Federal stimulus grant has directed an additional $10 Million toward new improvements and extensions. At this writing, the Alamo Creek extension is under construction to route the trail away from Dublin BART and connect what was a broken trail section that separated Dublin and Pleasanton. Access will soon run along Alamo Creek, along Hwy. 680 into Pleasanton.

The trail spans from Concord near Hwy. 4 into Dublin / Pleasanton. There are two BART stations conveniently accessible from the trail. Currently the trail runs directly through Dublin/Pleasanton BART, and is only 1/2 mile from Walnut Creek BART. This allows for easy car-less urban travel from many Bay Area cities such as San Francisco and Oakland. BART allows folding vehicles on any car (except the first) during any hour. Unfolded bikes may be transported during non-commute hours only.

Dublin BART or Alcosta Blvd. in San Ramon for many will be a good starting point. Although it’s usually pretty calm, afternoon winds can bring additional challenge to riders traveling in a Northerly direction – which in many sections also has a slight grade of about 2%. This is important to note for those wanting a downhill ride with the wind at their backs on the way home.

Trail Map

Please see the link in our right-hand sidebar for a map of this trail.

Suggested Lodging

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Suggested Dining

Please use the comments section below or the contact link above to suggest lodging, dining or bicycle sales/rental/repair facilities that we can add to this trail listing.

Suggested Bike Rental / Repair

Please use the comments section below or the contact link above to suggest lodging, dining or bicycle sales/rental/repair facilities that we can add to this trail listing.

Permanent link to this article: http://trailsnet.com/trails/iron-horse-trail/

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